MPH Blood Drive Surpasses Goal

The Manlius Pebble Hill School Model United Nations Team hosted a blood drive yesterday, February 14. MPH junior Nathan Sonnenfeld reintroduced the idea to the community after speaking to a Red Cross representative when he himself donated blood late last year. He approached MPH School Nurse Christine Civello, RN, BSN, who was excited to get involved. “I am acutely aware of the importance of blood donations in saving lives and I am happy the MPH community is finding yet another way to help those in need.” With a background in critical care, Civello continues to say, “I have seen patients who went from unstable at the beginning of my shift to stable at the end because they were able to receive the blood product they needed.  Blood saves lives.  Although I think most people know that, sometimes the gravity of it gets lost.”

The Red Cross set a goal of 30 units to be collected at the drive and we were able to successfully reach 34 units!  Katherine Stepanian of American Red Cross Blood Services reported that there were 24 first time donors, which  she attributes to “the tremendous job our students and faculty did engaging the entire Manlius Pebble Hill community. From the lower and middle grade lesson plans you  created and presented, to involving parent and teacher groups, and most certainly Nate’s student recruitment effort.” Katie was particularly impressed with Nate’s leadership abilities. “Nate, you are a natural at this, and it was something else to watch you in action. You should be very proud of the impact you have made.”

The blood drive resulted in not only saving 102 lives,  but also earned the MUN team $340!   

The Red Cross passes along its sincere gratitude to those who supported the drive in all of the ways necessary to make it a success.